Belfast officer wounded in 'drive-by' shooting

The police officer was hit in the arm after a number of shots were fired from a auto.

"I appeal to anyone who has info to contact PSNI immediately".

Up to seven shots were fired by the terrorists before cops returned fire.

The suspected attack happened on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast near a filling station on Sunday evening. The officer is in a stable condition in hospital, according to reports.

A police officer has been shot in the arm in a drive-by shooting at a petrol station in Belfast.

"I hope the officer involved makes a full and swift recovery". Our main line of inquiry at the minute is violent dissident republicans.

"I totally condemn this gun attack on a PSNI officer in north Belfast tonight", he said in a statement.

"The police serve the entire community, and wounding one individual is an attack on the entire community".

Police representative body the Police Federation also condemned the shooting.

"They believe that by causing great grief to a family they are somehow advancing their warped and outdated plan".

"This attempted murder underlines the fragility of our peace".

The threat against police is classed as severe and Mr Lindsay warned officers to be vigilant.

In early March, Northern Ireland is expected to have regional elections - a vote that comes after the collapse of a coalition between the Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party.

Deputy first minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest over a botched green energy scheme which will leave taxpayers millions out of pocket.

Britain's Northern Ireland secretary James Brokenshire said the incident was "sickening".

"Those responsible for this attack are the same people who are attacking the local community".